ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (April 6, 2024) -- Rocky River netted its most goals in a single game in over a year, as the Pirates bashed the Bowling Green Bobcats 20-2 Saturday.
A dozen Pirates found twine in the game, including six players who logged what were career-first tallies. River outshot its visitors 50-15 in running its home record to 3-0. The Sons of Blackbeard planted seven goals in the opening period, seven in the second, four in the third, and two in the fourth. The entire second half was played with an up-12 running clock.
River's 20 goals marked its most in a game since March 28, 2023 (23 vs. Mentor). Leading the way for the Double-R attack were Andrew Lang and Rowan McDougal, who scored four goals each. Michael Bebie added three.
The Pirates (5-1) won a slew of faceoffs early and took immediate control of the contest, outshooting Bowling Green 18-2 and outscoring the Bobcats 7-0 in the first frame. For the day, midfielders Jack Hurt and Michael McDonough went a combined 14-12 on faceoffs.
The River Raiders piled up 17 caused turnovers en route to winning the turnover tussle with ease. For the game, the Pirates filed 15 turnovers to Bowling Green's 25. River now has 31 caused turnovers of its last two games; its 17 spills Saturday marked its most in a single game in nearly six years (since April 17, 2018-18 CT vs. Bay). Cohen Blair and Trent Delventhal each registered three caused turnovers in the game.
Gordon Hudson (24 minutes ) and Ayad Mehulic (24 minutes) split the work in the Pirate goal and were mostly upright and unbothered throughout. The Bobcats ledgered just five shots on goal. The Pirates have allowed just 8 SOG over their last two games.
Cohen Blair, Ben Bogre, Trent Delventhal, Charlies Hildebrand, Finn Potts, and William Sawyer recorded career-first goals in the non-conference matinee.
CANNON FIRE ...
ON DECK: The Maroon & White will return to Northern Ohio Lacrosse League play when they travel to Westlake for a Tuesday 7:15 p.m. game against the Demons.
STAT ATTACK: After scoring 6 goals per game over their first three games this season, the Pirates have filed 13.3 GPG in three contests since. ... Rocky River forced opponents into 15.7 turnovers per game in 2023. Thus far in 2024, an active Pirate defense has foes committing 20.7 turnovers per contest.
by Skip Snow
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